And B.J. Thomas apparently took this rhythm track and cut a new vocal on top for his cover of the song.

James is affiliated with the BMI performing rights organization. He started professionally writing, in Memphis at Chips Moman's request, for Press Music, and later moved to New York became a staff writer at Screen Gems-Columbia Music. He also produced and did some recording.

A repertoire search of the BMI website reveals "230 work titles," as noted above. Some are album tracks for artists like B.J. Thomas, others may well be tracks awaiting an artist.

Re: Mark James --> All-American Sound Songwriter

Why the Doc feels the need to repeat himself is a mystery............this should have stayed where it belonged.........in the off topic section.

Re: Mark James --> All-American Sound Songwriter

Mon Jan 07, 2013 3:07 pm

In just posted this on the "Off topic" section (before I saw this thread), where it was indicated that the original Mark James lyrics for "Raised on rock" included the line "in the backroom digging the Stones" and that Elvis changed this to "rockin' on"?

Elvis' version was released the year before the mentioned Helen Reddy and Johnny Winter versions (with the Stones reference). So I would guess that Elvis could be singing the original lyric. Anybody who knows?

Was Elvis the first artist to record this song? Who else was Mark James pitching it to?

But for Elvis, this is ridiculous! (with or without the Stones in the lyric). Must be Elvis' worst ever single!!!Very strange that he even picked this song to record. (But not many worthwhile songs were recorded at the July 73 Stax sessions except for the Tony Joe White songs.)

Wonder if he had any saying in selecting this as a single release...

Regards,Tom Oglandfrom Norway

Re: Mark James --> All-American Sound Songwriter

Mon Jan 07, 2013 5:13 pm

On the demo - available on Disc 2 from "Writing For The King" - Mark James sings "While I was in the backroom digging the Stones." So Elvis must have changed the line because he disliked The Rolling Stones (probably an understatement).

tomogland wrote:But for Elvis, this is ridiculous! (with or without the Stones in the lyric). Must be Elvis' worst ever single!!!

I agree

Edit: ...although I hate Kissin' Cousins, Life and Do The Clam equally.

Last edited by daviddoelen on Mon Jan 07, 2013 5:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Re: Mark James --> All-American Sound Songwriter

Mon Jan 07, 2013 5:24 pm

daviddoelen wrote:

tomogland wrote:But for Elvis, this is ridiculous! (with or without the Stones in the lyric). Must be Elvis' worst ever single!!!

I agree.

Strongly disagree. Only Elvis very singing could have been much better.

Re: Mark James --> All-American Sound Songwriter

Mon Jan 07, 2013 5:34 pm

Off-topic: Elvis shouldn't have recorded this song. It mocks (for lack of a better word) Elvis' place in music history. He was raised on blues, country, gospel and pop music which he merged into a new revolutionary style later called rockabilly/rock 'n' roll!

Re: Mark James --> All-American Sound Songwriter

Mon Jan 07, 2013 5:59 pm

Whether he liked The Stones or not, I still understand him changing the lyric.The listing of the rock'n'roll/soul singles (from 56-66) sounds corny indeed, but still these were American records I'm sure listened to and enjoyed when they came out. Singing the line "While I was in the backroom digging the Stones" wouldn't suit Elvis whether he liked the Stones or not.

Re: Mark James --> All-American Sound Songwriter

Mon Jan 07, 2013 9:31 pm

tomogland wrote:In just posted this on the "Off topic" section (before I saw this thread), where it was indicated that the original Mark James lyrics for "Raised on rock" included the line "in the backroom digging the Stones" and that Elvis changed this to "rockin' on"?

Elvis' version was released the year before the mentioned Helen Reddy and Johnny Winter versions (with the Stones reference). So I would guess that Elvis could be singing the original lyric. Anybody who knows?

Was Elvis the first artist to record this song? Who else was Mark James pitching it to?

But for Elvis, this is ridiculous! (with or without the Stones in the lyric). Must be Elvis' worst ever single!!!Very strange that he even picked this song to record. (But not many worthwhile songs were recorded at the July 73 Stax sessions except for the Tony Joe White songs.)

Wonder if he had any saying in selecting this as a single release...

Regards,Tom Oglandfrom Norway

Yes, I believe Elvis was the first to record this song.

Marty Lacker says he brought this song to Elvis to record.

The original lyrics did include the line about the Rolling Stones but Elvis changed it because he wasn't a fan of them.

I agree the lyrics didn't suit Elvis but sometimes singers do record songs that don't always fit them lyrically.

If you ever noticed almost all of Mark James' best and biggest hit songs were either recorded by Elvis or BJ Thomas.